The cooperation agreement was signed by Dr Jochen Leonhardt, BVMW Member of the Board and German entrepreneur, and the President of SBC and Chairman of Postojna Cave, Marjan Batagelj. "Slovenia is attractive to Germany for the automotive industry and for tourism, particularly because Slovenia is a safe country. The Germans also commented on Slovenia's geographic position, which is of interest from the regional perspective." said Mr Batagelj, for The Slovenia Times, adding that if the Slovenes are interested in exporting more to Germany, then the Germans are interested in investing in projects in Slovenia.

 

Marjan Batagelj, President of SBC and Chairman of Postojna Cave

 

"The structure and importance of the production industry in Slovenia is of the same importance as in Germany. So, we therefore see a lot of cooperation potential between industrial and innovative companies in both countries, and BVMW can offer a platform to connect them." explained Dr Leonhardt, highlighting the importance of the Slovenian automotive companies which already cooperate with German companies - BMW, Audi and Volkswagen.

 

Dr Jochen Leonhardt, BVMW Member of the Board and German entrepreneur

 

"The added value of Slovenian companies for the Germans is the flexibility and the engineers we have. In addition, we can quickly respond to some challenges and find a good value solution", said Igor Akrapovič, owner of Akrapovič and SBC member.

SBC President, Marjan Batagelj, SBC members, Igor Akrapovič, Marko Lotrič, Tanja Skaza and SBC Executive Director, Goran Novković also presented proposals for the Slovenian government mandate of 2018-2022. Among the 16 proposals, the emphasis was placed on: equal incentives for all investors, both domestic and foreign (the urgent adoption of the law to promote investment); further salary relief; transparent data on salary issues; the gradual introduction of development capital and income tax reform; measures for staff scholarships; a proactive immigration policy to attract professionals; the public monitoring of the employability of graduates and compulsory specialisation of young researchers in the economy. "The key measures must be directed toward growth until 2025 but at the same time, as if we expect a crisis in 2020. Unless we firmly implement the structural reforms, we will miss another train following independence and lag further behind the most developed parts of Europe", emphasised SBC.

 

 

 Borut Pahor, President of the Republic of Slovenia